Kyrie Irving struggled as the Celtics lost to the Bucks in the Eastern Conference semifinals, but Marcus Smart said it's "bulls---" to say Irving's leadership skills were to blame for the team's problems.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 20 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, and the Milwaukee Bucks routed the Boston Celtics 116-91 on Wednesday night to advance to the Eastern Conference final.

Tim Bontemps ESPN

Al Horford: "We just couldn't get over the hump. ... Sometimes, things just don't go your way. ... It just didn't work out, and at the end of the day, you have to give Milwaukee credit. They were the better team than us. That's the reality."

It started with a qualified promise to stay. It ended with a failed promise to be better in the playoffs. In between, Kyrie Irving slowly eroded what seemed like a promising season in Boston.

Tim Bontemps ESPN

Brad Stevens: "I've been a coach for 12 years and we let go of the rope, and cracked the rope, probably more than we should have. As far as any year I've been a coach, it's been the most trying ... I did a bad job. I'll do a lot of deep dives into how to be better."